A repaired stream in a backyard.

Drainage Assistance Program

A voluntary program addressing flooding and erosion on private property


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Program Overview Requirements Not Eligible 4-Step Process Stream Stabilization Program Approved Projects Pending Projects Contact Us

This program is part of Raleigh’s Sustainable Business Toolkit, a collection of programs designed to help businesses and other organizations save money and help reach the goals in the city’s Community Climate Action Plan.

Program Overview

Are you experiencing severe flooding or erosion at your home/building?

Apply for the Drainage Assistance Program! It pays for drainage issues caused by stormwater runoff coming from public streets. This is a voluntary program with projects paid for by the City of Raleigh. We help with flooding, severe erosion, and blocked pipes impacting your home/building.

The Stream Stabilization Program addresses minor to moderate erosion issues.

This example of erosion is covered by the Drainage Assistance Program.

This example of erosion is covered by the Stream Stabilization Program.

Requirements

You must meet these requirements to qualify for the Drainage Assistance Program:

  1. Own residential, commercial, or public property in Raleigh.
  2. Have stormwater runoff coming from public streets or public property on to your property.
  3. Willing to donate a permanent drainage easement.

Not Eligible

We cannot help with the following issues:

Issues  
Nuisance yard flooding Standing water
Drainage issues from landscaping and yard grading Minor erosion
Stormwater runoff from private properties next to you Roof/gutter problems

See a clogged stormwater drain or pipe? Contact stormwater maintenance

4-Step Process

There are several steps to completing a project through the Drainage Assistance Program

1 - Give us a call 

Do you have a stormwater issue that may qualify for the program? Let us know at 919-996-3779 or stormwaterdrainage@raleighnc.gov

Please allow 24-48 hours for us to respond to an inquiry. We'll get more details from you and ask that you fill out a program request form provided by staff.  

2 - Prioritizing Projects 

If you quality, we'll assess the severity of your project. We'll score and rank it with other drainage projects. Please note, we have about $1.75 million a year dedicated to this program. 

3 - Approvals

We approve about 10 projects a year. The Stormwater Management Advisory Commission and Raleigh City Council review and approve these projects. 

It may take some time for your project to get to this point. Project funding and timing are not based on when a person submits their request form to us. We base funding on a project's prioritization score. There are several projects on the waiting list. 

4 - Design, Permitting and Construction 

Once a project is approved we move to design and construction. 

  • Design and permitting (about six to nine months or longer if the project is complex)
  • Construction (about six months) - A project cannot move forward without a permanent drainage easement

Stream Stabilization Program

1. Stream Stabilization

The Stream Stabilization Program helps with minor to moderate erosion issues caused by stormwater runoff coming from public streets or public properties (not otherwise covered by the Drainage Assistance Program).

2. Buffer Builder Bag Program

The Buffer Builder Bag (B3) Program is a voluntary program that provides City of Raleigh property owners with free native shrub and tree seedlings to help improve or create a streamside buffer on their property.

3. Stream Bank Repair Workshops

If you are experiencing minor to moderate stream bank erosion on your property, consider participating in Stream Bank Repair Workshops.

Pending Projects

We have several Drainage Assistance projects that are waiting for approval. We approve about 10 projects per year, with $1.75 million available in funding. Approved projects are based on their prioritization score (not when you submit your request form). 

You will notice that your project rank may change on the list. This is based on the severity and score of other projects. Thank you for your patience as we continue to move projects forward.

View Drainage Assistance pending projects

Contact Us

Have questions about the Drainage Assistance Program? Send an email to stormwaterdrainage@raleighnc.gov or call us at 919-996-3779.

Please allow 24-48 hours for us to respond to an inquiry. We will get more details from you and ask that you fill out an application form if you’re eligible.

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